A blog for documenting the work of our group in the course
#SOyER16 at the UM

TASK 2 - MAP PROJECTIONS, TREASURE HUNT, MEDIA DISTORTIONS

In the second task, we had to complete a table with the main features of three maps projections: Robinson, Mercator and Azimuthal.

Once we completed the table, we had to choose two countries, one of Europeand another for other continent and compare them in the different maps and between them. We chose UK and Australia. Finally, we had to choose one of the projection and justify our decision.

We also had to find a distortion and explain it. Besides, we needed to find out what a treasure hunt is, and find an example.

Finally, we had to explain the relationship between this activity and the slogan "Media is not neutral".

Below, you could see all of our work this week!

We hope you enjoy reading it as well as learning as us.

Frisky Hedgehogs!

For this piece of work about cartography and the distortions it may present, we have chosen two countries, which we will find in the three types of maps, and proceed to compare their sizes, situations and other features.

First, we will need a brief introduction to each kind of map.

The first one, Robinson’s, represents the Earth flat on the paper, straight at the top and rounded on its sides, giving the impression of a non-flat planet. The north of Africa lays on the centre of the map, Asia and Oceania on its right, and both Americas to its left. It is the most recent one, dating from the 21st century. We have chosen this map as the most accurate and useful when in class, as the maps are the most accurate, as its rounds sides helps understand different distances within the map, and the parallels and meridians are drawn accurately regarding, again, the rounded edges.

The second map is Mercator’s. This representation of the Earth also shows a flat territory, but this time the sides of the paper are not rounded, but also flat. The display of countries is the same as in Robinson’s. It was first developed in the 16th century. We took this map also into account, but ended up discarding it because of its rectangular form. This means that, even though it shows all the countries, the distances are slightly altered because it does not take into account the rounded edges, unlike Robinson’s.

Finally, the last map is Azimuthal’s. This kind of map shows the Earth as if it were seen from the poles. We know at first sight that the planet is round, but here the countries look completely different because of perspective. It is believed it was first used in the ancient Egypt. This map was immediately discarded because, if we want to teach our students the different countries, we should start by showing them the complete world in the most accurate way instead of Azimuthal’s, were the countries are stretched or shrunk to fit in the map.

Next, we will proceed to compare these two countries in the three kinds of maps.

Robinson:

The UK looks short, fat and small, while Australia looks much bigger than the UK, and like stretching. It looks as the UK has been shrunk and Australia stretched.

Australia seems to be more important than the UK, as it can be seen easily the size which is big, while the UK is difficult to see in the first look.

The distance looks bigger and the UK is in the front while Australia is to our right.

Mercator:

The UK looks bigger in comparison to Australia. It looks stretched and Australia looks smaller, in what appears to be the right size, except for the bottom area where we can observe a little stretching.The UK seems to be more important and bigger than Australia, as it is more in the centre of the map, therefore when you look at the map for the first time it is easily found. Australia looks less important, as if it were in other part where the attention is not focused on.

Also, the distance between them looks too short, UK is in the front while Australia in our right.

Azimuthal:

The UK looks really small while Australia looks really big. In this case is easier to identify Australia and difficult to see the UK.Because of the size, Australia looks much more important and also because of the type of map, UK is in between a lot of other countries, what makes difficult to see it. Besides, Australia is completely alone making it easier to find, also helped by its huge size. In this case, the distance between them also seems to be bigger.

UK comparison among the 3 maps

UK, looks bigger and more important in Mercator’s map, it is easy to see, while in Robinson’s map it is much harder. The most difficult one in which to identify it, is on Azimuthal’s map as the whole Europe is extremely small.

Australia comparison among the 3 maps:

Once this analysis is finished, we could say that Australia’s best representation is the Robinson’s projection. Compared to the other ones it seems more realistic but it appears a little stretched.In Mercator’s and the Azimuthal’s projections, Australia looks kind of isolated and in Azimuthal’s it looks much bigger and stretched than how it should be.

TREASURE HUNT: CARTOGRAPHY PROJECTIONS

A treasure hunt is a technological and content gamewhich consists in finding answers to given questions about a topic. There is a big question which includes all the others. They have linked different web pages where they can look for the information they need.

It can be composed of the big question, introduction / instructions, small questions, links to information and assessment.

It can be a funny activity for the students and at the same time that they learn about the topic related to the subject and also learn to use the mass media.

Photo Edition programs, such as Photoshop, are an example of the most media distort seen and known. With this program people can get the look they prefer about themselves. It's widely use in magazines around the world, creating a standard idea of the body shape would be in famous people as actors, actresses, singers, politicians, models, etc. They can even distort reality adding people, removing people, changing colours, shapes and so on. So they can influence you to buy a perfume, some clothes or determinate make up in order to reach the image they are selling.

This distortion is not just about people, it can be about food, objects and more.

It appears on magazines, newspapers, webs and some other media.

In this example we can see Julia Roberts in her natural look and the distorted one. In the natural picture, Roberts shows some wrinkles, a darker skin, matter hair, while in the other one she looks gorgeus, with amazing eyes, a perfect skin and bright hair.

Media are not neutral

To conclude we’re going to explain why this activity it’s related to the slogan Media are not neutral. The maps, as the media, can be distorted in order to some countries look more important or not. For example, if the map is made in Germany, they are going to make Germany to look better and more important. They also could make other countries to look different from how they really are.